Yes! You can legally qualify for an emotional support animal through services provided online, but it has to be done in the right way. A common misconception about emotional support animals is that people think a certificate can certify a pet as an official ESA. However, certification by itself will not qualify an animal companion as an ESA.
The only way to get an ESA certification online is to obtain an ESA Letter directly from a licensed professional who offers remote services. We recommend only working with a licensed professional with previous experience with ESAs.
How to Certify Your Emotional Support Animal Online
The task of finding an appropriate provider for you can feel overwhelming. People find and date new partners by swiping on their phones, hail taxis anywhere in the world, and order food with just a few clicks. Technology is also helping people reach therapists and other professionals more efficiently. So yes, you can get your Emotional Support Animal certification online (it’s called an ESA letter!).
If you’re wondering whether an ESA letter you obtain from an online professional is just as legitimate as a letter obtained through in-person meetings, the answer is yes! The U.S. Department of Housing has, in fact, noted that for housing accommodation, individuals can obtain ESA-related services through professionals that provide services remotely, including over the internet.
How to get an Emotional Support Animal Certification online:
- Select the ESA Plan right for you
The basic ESA Housing Plan is only $159. You will connect with a licensed healthcare provider directly who will support you throughout this process and answer any questions. Start the process here.
- Complete the ESA Questionnaire
Once you’ve selected the plan you want, the next step is to answer the questions in the questionnaire truthfully and thoroughly. Your licensed health care provider will be in touch directly with follow-ups and questions.
- Connect directly with your licensed therapist
Once you submit your order, you will connect directly with your licensed therapist. Look out for their email with their consent forms to start. We only work with experts in animal therapy, and our support team has a decade of experience, so know you are in good hands.
- Get your ESA Letter!
If you qualify, you’ll be issued an ESA letter. Once you have your ESA Letter, your ESA is now certified and official! You can submit your ESA letter to your landlord and request reasonable accommodations. This means no pet fees, no pet deposits, and access to no-pet buildings and coops.
The internet has become increasingly valuable to those seeking support for mental and emotional health issues. The digital age provides a convenient and cost-effective way to connect with licensed health care professionals online. It takes a lot of courage and self-reflection to admit you need help and then actively find the help you need.
What Legal Rights Do I Have with an ESA Letter?
A valid ESA letter gives you the documentation you need to apply for the accommodation of your animal companion with your landlord, HOA co-op, or other housing providers. With an ESA letter, your ESA will have the following rights:
- Your ESA must be reasonably accommodated in housing even if there is a “no pets” policy for the building.
- Housing providers cannot impose breed or size restrictions on an ESA.
- Housing providers are not allowed to charge fees and deposits in connection with an ESA.
- Housing providers discriminate against you solely because you need an ESA.
Can I Get an ESA Letter From My Current Doctor or Therapist?
Of course! An ESA letter can come from a licensed health care professional, including psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, counselors, physicians, and physician’s assistants. If you have an existing relationship with a professional looking after your mental health, we recommend discussing your interest in an ESA with them first.
If you do not have a licensed professional or are having trouble finding one, ESA Doctors can help connect you to someone licensed for your State who is knowledgeable about ESAs.
You Can Qualify For an ESA Online, but a “Certification” Won’t Get the Job Done
So when people ask the question, “Can I get an emotional support animal certification online?” they may be confusing certifications with ESA letters. And yes, if done correctly, you can qualify for an ESA through a licensed professional that offers online services. Under Fair Housing rules, an ESA letter is the required documentation you need to prove your animal companion is an ESA.
Many people are disappointed to learn that they need more than a certificate to qualify as an emotional support animal and fear the potential costs and burdens of getting help from a licensed health care professional. Seeing a professional in person can be prohibitively expensive for many but also difficult to schedule for people with work, school, or family obligations. Fortunately, obtaining an ESA letter through an online professional is just as valid as seeing someone in person.
How Can I Get an ESA Letter from ESA Doctors?
Do I Have to Register My ESA?
ESA registration is not required, and registrations are not recognized as a valid method of qualifying an ESA under federal laws. The only appropriate supporting documentation for emotional support animals are ESA letters written by licensed health care professionals. If you submit your ESA letter and your landlord then demands to see a registration number so they can search for your animal on a registry, they are misinformed. Registration, vests, IDs, and certificates are not required for emotional support animals.
Should I See if I Qualify for an ESA Online?
Emotional Support Animals can provide immeasurable support to their owners suffering from mental and emotional distress. The licensed health care professionals that work with ESADoctors.com can see if an ESA may benefit you and whether you may qualify for an ESA letter. Our platform offers a convenient, easy, and private way to connect with a licensed health care professional to discuss your potential need for an emotional support animal.
Start your questionnaire now to see if you qualify for an emotional support animal.
Get the Love and Support you deserve!
Do the letters expire? If so, how do I renew? thanks
ESA letters do not technically expire, but its highly recommended to renew them annually. That’s because the healthcare provider who wrote the ESA letter will not be able to validate a letter unless there is a current evaluation on file. It’s especially important to have a recent letter if you are moving or planning to move. Please see this article for more details: https://esadoctors.com/do-esa-letters-expire-how-to-renew/